G’day everyone,
I was hoping someone could have a look at this image of a Tattler I saw this afternoon in Sydney.
I have seen this bird on and off for the past 4 weeks or so. I’ve only been able to photograph it today. Initially when I saw the bird, I immediately noted just how dark it is in comparison to the other Grey-tailed Tattlers. In the field the difference in colour is very obvious, even in overcast conditions. I haven’t heard the bird call at all as that would’ve really helped me out.
Not wanting to jump the gun and say I’ve seen a Wandering, I’ve sat on it and watched this and another bird for the next month hoping for an opportunity to get a better look at the bird. I’ve not seen a Wandering before and I didn’t want to make a false ID. I’ve gone off some guide books and other information from members here to help me ID the bird, and I’ld like to get some more experienced opinions on the matter.
Today however I was able to get a fairly decent image of the bird.
Can someone have a look and let me know if they think it’s a Wandering or a very dark Grey-tailed Tattler.
Link to the dark Tattler: http://bit.ly/gU3YYW
For comparisons sake, a link to a Grey-tailed I photographed at the same location 3 days ago. http://bit.ly/fDqxig
Regards,
Mark
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I’d describe it as a partial indicator. GTs tend to feed in mud, WTs tend to feed on rocky reefs.
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Hi Laurie,
On this occasion the bird was doing nothing. It was just standing on the rock watching me watch it. And on the other occasions prior to today I haven’t seen the bird feed.
Is the crab chasing important with the Wandering Tattlers? I’ve seen the Grey-tailed Tattlers chase and eat crabs at the reef before.
Regards, Mark
Nasal groove looks fine.
One thing that people haven’t discussed is what the bird was doing. Was it chasing crabs on a rocky reef?
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Hi Mark,
I agree with Jeff. The overall darkness, the thin and short supercilium (very weak behind the eye), the reduced white throat and the weak contrast between lores and adjacent areas look good for Wandering Tattler. Can’t really tell the nasal grove on your picture… Was this bird at Long Reef?
Cheers,
Nikolas
Thanks Jeff,
I have other images I have yet to process in case others are wanting to check them out. Just email me and I can forward them onto you tomorrow when I process them.
Regards, Mark
G’day Mark,
I agree your bird is a Wandering Tattler. This species is a tad darker than Grey-tailed, but another contributing factor to the perceived increase in grey is that Wandering typically shows a substantial amount of grey along the flanks below the wing, this is diagnostic of the species. The Grey-tailed you have linked shows a minimal amount and that is typical, it also shows a more extensive white supercillium, and throat merging into upper neck, Wandering has the white throat restricted to a discrete white patch cut off to the darker neck and cheeks. So in conclusion Wandering isn’t just a bit darker it also has lot more of it.
Cheers Jeff.